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The Soap Interview

Hailing from Kyoto, the old capital of Japan, are four musicians that play their own powerful version of garage band punk rock. The Soap
shine brightly with the ever exuberant Hissa singing lead, Keiko on bass, You-Ka on drums and Atsushi on guitar. Throw in some b-horror movie
flavor and some catchy band fashions and you've got all the ingredients for some good time head banging fun.

On November 19, 2008 the members of The Soap were kind enough to give an interview to Andrew
from J-Pop World.

When did The Soap form?

We formed The Soap when we got to know each other back when we were high school students.

How would you describe The Soap's musical style?

An aggressive sound--the feeling of a horror movie combined with a punk and garage band sound.

You released your first album, Jet Party, in 2004 through KINGSKULL RECORDS. What was the music like back then?

The first albums contained the feeling of playing live.

How did you get hooked up with KINGSKULL RECORDS?

"Kat" the president of the label watched one of our live shows and offered us a contract.

Tell us about the songs JET PARTY and NO SHOW.

JET PARTY tells about life with a slightly slovenly feeling. "I'm a party animal" comes out in the lyrics of NO SHOW, living a little
party-like way of life.

In October of 2007 the group released your latest album, "My God, That Feels So Good!" Who came up with the unusual title?

Hissa did.

The video for the song Street features film footage of Bela Lugosi. Have you all been fans of older horror movies?

Yes! We love old movies, especially the old b-horror and monster movies, space monster movies, Tarantino and Russ Meyer movies... I (Hissa) was
inspired by the film footage of Bela Lugosi and used it with the song.

Tell us a little about your songwriting.

I (Hissa) the leader and vocalist write the lyrics. I come up with an idea and everyone adds their influence in the making of the music.

The group is based in Kyoto. Do you see a big difference in the music scene in western Japan compared to say Tokyo?

We are not conscious of Tokyo in particular, and I think that it depends on what genre of music you are talking about. Western Japan
doesn't have a viewpoint about how it compares to say Tokyo.

What does performing mean to you?

When I feel united with our audience during a live broadcast I became the ground of nothing (Japanese=mu no kyouchi).

Have you ever toured overseas?

Not yet. We want to make an overseas tour. Any sponsors out there thanks in advance.

Any chance of a North American tour in 2009?

Of course if there is a chance!

Who were your favorite groups growing up?

Hissa: Ramones, The Clash, The Drags and The Cramps

Atsushi: Jon Spencer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Thee Headcoats

Other than music what types of things do you all do for fun?

Keiko: Fishing, a cat and fireworks

You-ka: Motorcycles

What's the romantic life like for members of the band? Dating? Anyone married? Kids?

All of us are married but no kids. By the way, two of us, Atsushi and Keiko, are couples. As for dates, going to temples during
the changing of the four seasons in local Kyoto is splendid.

You said you all met in high school. Was anyone in a group before you formed the band?

No, for all of us The Soap was our first time in a band.

What are the group's plans for the future?

We are creating a new song and plan to challenge the world.

Do you have a final message to all your fans?

People everywhere, hello! We are The Soap, based in Kyoto, Japan. Please checkout or MySpace page. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

For more info checkout The Soap's official site.
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